Symptoms Of An Ingrown Church Every church and grouping of churches has strong points…and weak points. When a church ceases to grow in “grace and knowledge” it becomes ingrown. At this stage, congregations are subjected to a steady diet of slogans, mantras, rants, and a rehashing of pet doctrines/standards. Anything different is viewed with either...
Category: featured
Pride Versus Brokenness
Pride grieves God. Brokenness secures grace. Pride sets you up for a fall. Brokenness prepares the way for God’s favor. Pride spawns competition. Brokenness builds community. Pride keeps you from praying. Brokenness causes you to pray. Pride blinds you to your wicked ways. Brokenness opens your eyes to your wicked ways. Pride keeps you from...
Pioneering Spirit
The mission of the original Star Trek’s spaceship, Enterprise, was to “boldly go where no man had ever been before.” Star Trek was science fiction. But what we need in the non-fictional NOW is for young men and women to undertake what few are willing to do—PIONEER. A pioneer is one is who is...
Could You Feel At Home In The Early Church?
The church in the book of Acts had… No stained glass, no pews, no theatre seats, no baptismal tank, no church building… No hymnbooks, no piano, no organ, no choir, no praise band… No Sunday School, no PowerPoint, no drama team, no video clips… No bulletins, no Bibles in the home, no devotional books, no...
Paul And Apollos Are Great—But What About Jesus?
The staggering scandals among Christian leaders have devastated scores of believers and their families. Celebrity preachers/teachers, “Camp loyalty”, and institutional allegiance hold a Mecca-like grip over multitudes. Superficial spirituality tends to identify with men, movements, and monuments instead of identifying with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Corinth was rife with man-centered devotion....
Critics
Ambassadors For The Accuser “Where the devil does not go personally, he sends a critic”, said a wise Puritan. Every church and every movement has its critics. Detractors never offer an unqualified word of approval. Unlike metal, their tongues get sharper after every jab. Being unsympathetic is one thing, but having a perennial critical spirit...